Adaptogens 101: Types of Adaptogens To Consider Adding to Your Life
Maybe it was your yoga instructor. Maybe it was your dietician. Maybe it was your friend Rebekah who’s always on top of all the latest health trends.
Someone in your life was going on and on about adaptogens, raving about how great they are, and how they love them so much, and how they don’t know how people live without them. And you nodded along knowingly and smiled in all the right places.
Only to Google later “What the hell are adaptogens?”
Which led you to us, adaptogen lovers who will answer all your questions about the most popular types of adaptogens, how to consume adaptogens, and most importantly, what are adaptogens?
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are plants and fungi that through the chemical compounds they contain, support a healthy response in the body to occasional stress derived from physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors.* These plants and fungi have a nonspecific supportive effect on the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.*
To put that simply: they are a natural substance that may make you feel good.*
Many Eastern healing traditions, like Indian Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Herbalism, rely on adaptogens to promote healthy balance in the body.* They’ve been using adaptogens, which can be herbs, berries, or even fungi, for centuries to support various areas of the body.*
Why Use Different Types of Adaptogens?
Occasional stress is unavoidable in life. If there aren’t a dozen things that disrupt you throughout the day, you’re either on vacation in the Bahamas or a Buddhist monk.
Adaptogens may help you deal with occasional stress, promoting healthy balance in the body.* They help promote healthy stress responses, support your body’s energy, and help you maintain homeostasis.*
Adaptogens all support stress responses, however, different types of adaptogens have different strengths and benefits, so evaluate what your body needs before picking one to incorporate into your routine.*
Types of Adaptogens: The Most Popular
There are dozens of adaptogens out there that may benefit your specific body.* Below are some of the most popular and effective types of adaptogens you can consume.*
Ginseng
Ginseng didn’t get its name, “The root of immortality” from nothing!*
It helps support strength, stamina, and healthy energy levels within normal ranges.* Unlike caffeine, it has the benefit of supporting your energy levels while simultaneously supporting adrenals.* Because of these benefits, ginseng may be excellent adaptogen for athletes.*
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is one of the most widely used adaptogens today. It’s noted for its ability to support the body’s adaptation to occasional stress and to promote a healthy immune system.* While supporting the body’s energy, Ashwagandha may simultaneously promote a healthy sense of calm.* In the past, it has even been used as an aphrodisiac.*
Schisandra
One of the benefits of Schisandra is that unlike other adaptogens it has a uniquely delicious taste. This adaptogen berry gently helps support the immune system and the body’s natural stress responses.* Through promoting these functions, Schisandra ultimately supports healthy energy levels.*
Rhodiola
Since ancient times, Rhodiola has been used to help support endurance, strength, energy, focus, and even immune health.* It was even used as a “performance enhancer” by the Russians during the Cold War, where it was tested for its ability to improve the overall performance of soldiers and Olympic athletes.*
Maca
Maca powder is a delightful addition to smoothies and energy balls. It helps nourish the body, supporting your energy, healthy mood, and strength.* You’ll need the energy too because this is another adaptogen that also functions as an aphrodisiac.*
Cordyceps Mushrooms
Cordyceps mushrooms are considered “adrenal adaptogens” because of their ability to help support healthy energy and endurance within normal ranges.* These magnificent mushrooms are one of the most revered herbs in Traditional Chinese Herbalism, in which they are often used to support a healthy libido in older adults.*
To take advantage of the adaptogenic qualities of Cordyceps, try Mushroom Revival’s Cordyceps Energy Tincture. It may help support energy and endurance within healthy ranges, occasional stress adaptability, athletic performance, and metabolic functions.*
Reishi Mushrooms
Perhaps you can tell from the nicknames, “the mushroom of immortality,” “spirit plant,” and “10,000-year mushroom” that Reishi mushrooms pack a powerful punch when it comes to promoting wellness, relaxation, and healthy immune functioning.*
Incorporate Reishi mushrooms into your diet by trying Mushroom Revival’s Reishi Calm Tincture which also contains Ashwagandha. It may help support a sense of calm, immune functioning, and cardiovascular system health.*
Learn more about types of adaptogens and other natural ways to support your health through reading Mushroom Revival’s Blog or listening to Mushroom Revival’s Podcast!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.